Nicolas Hulscher, MPH

Federal court upholds CFIA’s reckless cull order—setting a dangerous precedent for the unscientific mass depopulation of genetically important animals.

In March, I interviewed Katie Pasitney of Universal Ostrich and Connie Shields to discuss the alarming implications of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) order to cull 400 research ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farm in British Columbia over bird flu:

Canada Orders Mass Culling of 400 Research Ostriches Over Bird Flu, Refuses to Test Surviving Birds for Natural Immunity

Nicolas Hulscher, MPH

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Mar 11

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has ordered the culling of 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farm in British Columbia, citing concerns over H5N1 bird flu. However, this decision is not based on sound science and could have serious consequences for both food security and medical research.

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Universal Ostrich Farm is a research facility focused on studying the unique antibody-producing capabilities of ostriches. Their research has demonstrated potential in neutralizing viruses, bacteria, and even COVID-19, making it an important contribution to medical science.

In December 2024, the CFIA claimed that two deceased ostriches—which had been lying outside for over 16 hours—tested positive for H5N1 via PCR testing. Just 41 minutes after receiving these results, the CFIA signed an order to cull the entire flock.

The CFIA initially granted the farm an exemption, recognizing the birds as “genetically important.” Later, without clear justification, they reversed this decision, ordering their destruction.

Despite the importance of this research, the CFIA has refused to conduct further testing on the birds and has banned the farm from conducting its own tests, under threat of heavy fines and possible imprisonment. Why is the Canadian government refusing to study the potential antibodies ostriches have developed against H5N1 bird flu?

On January 31, 2025, a court granted a temporary stay of execution, halting the cull. However, the CFIA is appealing this decision, which means the culling could still proceed.

Today, we have received news that the reckless mass cull order will proceed despite their ostriches having already recovered months ago and developed natural immunity against H5N1:

Official Announcement: Federal Court Decision in Universal Ostrich Farms Inc. v. Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Dear friends and supporters,

We are absolutely devastated to share today’s Federal Court decision, issued on May 13, 2025. The court ruled in favour of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), upholding their order to destroy our beloved ostriches and rejecting our plea to save them.

The court’s decision accepted the CFIA’s justification under the Health of Animals Act and their use of the Stamping-Out Policy, which mandates the destruction of animals to control disease outbreaks, regardless of their health status. The court confirmed the CFIA’s approach, prioritizing trade obligations over the welfare of our animals.

In addition, we’ve been ordered to pay $15,000 in CFIA’s legal costs. You can read the full decision here: (2025 FC 878). https://saveourostriches.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JR-T-294-25-and-T-432-25-Final.pdf

We are heartbroken by this outcome and uncertain about the future of our farm. As we navigate this incredibly difficult time, we ask for your patience and continued support. If you are able, please consider making a donation to help us manage the financial and emotional toll this has taken.

Thank you,

Universal Ostrich Farm

http://SaveOurOstriches.com

This deeply misguided decision sets a dangerous precedent for the Canadian government to recklessly depopulate animals at will.

By upholding the CFIA’s reckless cull order, despite the ostriches’ recovery and natural immunity, the court has prioritized trade protocols over scientific inquiry, animal welfare, and the advancement of life-saving medical research.

Nicolas Hulscher, MPH

Epidemiologist and Foundation Administrator, McCullough Foundation

www.mcculloughfnd.org

Please consider following both the McCullough Foundation and my personal account on X (formerly Twitter) for further content.

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Sam Cooper

Global Affairs Canada stated it “deplores the decision by Hong Kong authorities to punish people for actions that amount to nothing more than freedom of expression.”

Ottawa has “raised its strong concerns directly with both Chinese and Hong Kong authorities” and is monitoring the circumstances surrounding the detention and interrogation of family members of former Conservative election candidate Joe Tay in Hong Kong, Canada’s national intelligence agency confirmed to The Bureau today.

“Global Affairs Canada is aware of Mr. Tay’s family members being called in for questioning in Hong Kong. They are tracking the situation closely, and are in contact with Mr. Tay,” a CSIS spokesperson said.

The federal government issued a rare public rebuke, with Global Affairs Canada stating it “deplores the decision by Hong Kong authorities to punish people for actions that amount to nothing more than freedom of expression.”

“It is unacceptable that Hong Kong authorities have placed a bounty on the head of a Canadian citizen,” the CSIS statement added. “Issuing threats and intimidation against a Canadian citizen is transnational repression and will not be tolerated.”

Questioned by The Bureau on the circumstances surrounding the 2025 federal election, CSIS added that “in particular, when intelligence collected spoke to a threat to the safety of any candidate, CSIS shares this information with all relevant law enforcement partners.”

The confirmation of Hong Kong’s actions against Tay’s family follows The Bureau’s reporting that Hong Kong police detained his cousin and the man’s wife for questioning on Thursday in the Fo Tan district. The incident—deemed credible by Canadian and diplomatic sources—appears to be a targeted act of intimidation tied to Tay’s high-profile candidacy in the 2025 federal election.

Tay, 62, ran as a Conservative candidate in Don Valley North and lost by approximately 5,000 votes. He was heavily targeted by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence networks during the election, with PRC-linked WeChat accounts spreading disinformation and narratives portraying Canada as a “refuge for fugitives” if he were elected.

As The Bureau previously revealed, the RCMP advised Tay to suspend in-person campaigning in the final week due to credible threats. The SITE Task Force assessed that Tay was subject to a coordinated foreign interference campaign and broader transnational repression effort.

The rhetoric used to discredit Tay was later echoed by Liberal MP Paul Chiang, who was supported by Prime Minister Mark Carney during the campaign. Chiang’s re-election bid collapsed after The Bureau confirmed that the RCMP had opened a national security review. The RCMP told The Bureau it has opened an investigation into the matter but would not provide further details.

The detentions of Tay’s relatives occurred just 48 hours after Prime Minister Carney’s closed-door meeting in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

That Beijing appears determined to continue persecuting Tay’s family—even after his electoral defeat—signals a broader strategic aim and presents an early and consequential test for Carney, who campaigned on defending Canadian sovereignty while opposing Trump’s tariff regime. The timing—days after Carney’s White House meeting—suggests Beijing may be probing Ottawa’s resolve under new leadership.

In their statement, CSIS and Global Affairs Canada warned that transnational repression and foreign interference remain pervasive threats inside Canada, with CSIS and the RCMP dedicating significant resources to countering these efforts. They confirmed that during the 2025 election, the SITE Task Force monitored candidate safety, advised the government, and took active steps to mitigate threats.

CSIS also confirmed that SITE will publish a public post-election report summarizing the threat landscape, interference patterns, and actions taken during the writ period.

The Bureau has previously documented Beijing’s use of family-based intimidation as part of its global enforcement strategy. On April 10, 2025, The Bureau confirmed that the parents of Hong Kong activist Frances Hui were detained by Hong Kong national security police after Hui testified before Canada’s Parliament. Hui, now based in the United States, was previously followed and threatened by an alleged PRC agent who was later indicted—but not convicted—by U.S. authorities.

Tay’s case fits that pattern. The Bureau has learned that a report reviewed by Toronto police during the campaign included a stalking threat involving Tay’s team.

The formal charges against Tay were issued by Hong Kong police in December 2024. According to official documents reviewed by The Bureau, Tay—born 12 December 1962—was charged with incitement to secession and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. Authorities allege that between July 2020 and June 2024, Tay operated a platform called HongKonger Station, through which he published “numerous videos inciting secession” and “repeatedly urged foreign countries to impose sanctions” on officials in Beijing and Hong Kong.

The SITE Task Force confirmed these charges were amplified by PRC intelligence-linked media during the Canadian election in an effort to delegitimize Tay and portray his candidacy as a threat to the PRC.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated to note the defendant in the Frances Hui case was not convicted.